To evaluate the outcome of conventional flap vs. local drug delivery with chlorhexidine chip (PERIOCOL CG^TM) in the treatment of moderate to deep periodontal pockets-a clinical and microbiological study

The present study was designed to compare the clinical and microbiological effectiveness of conventional flap surgery and scaling and root planning (SRP) with Chlorhexidine controlled release drug delivery system (Periocol CG^TM) in management of moderate to deep periodontal pockets.

15 patients (30 sites), of both sexes, aged 30-55 years, having moderate to severe periodontitis (according to AAP classification 1999) were selected randomly. The study population was divided into 2 groups by split mouth technique. The control site underwent Conventional access flap surgery while on the experimental site nonsurgical therapy of SRP with placement of chlorhexidine chip was done. Clinical parameters of Plaque Index, Calculus Index, Bleeding on Probing, Probing pocket depth & clinical attachment level were

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recorded along with microbiological assessment under dark field microscopy at baseline, at the end of 30day and 60day at both experimental and control sites.

Intragroup comparison revealed significant improvements in clinical and microbiological parameters at both control and experimental sites over the study period However, statistically very significant intergroup differences of motile organism counts were observed at 30th day (p=0.015) and 60th day (p=0.006) of the treatments.

The experimental group showed better improvement in all parameters, though the parameters were also sufficient enough to be maintained without further deterioration in the control group.